Description:

BOTANICAL SURVEY REPORT FOR TURNASTONE COURT

by

Alan Foulds

MSc(Ecol), AIEEM

CONTENTS

SUMMARY

This report contains details of a botanical survey at Turnastone Court in Herefordshire.   Data was collected on the botanical content of the grasslands and the data was analysed to give an indication of the NVC communities present and the degree of agricultural improvement evident.

The results of this survey show the existence of a rich and diverse grassland sward but one with a relatively species-poor herb content.   The analysis of the data indicates that there is a mixture of unimproved and semi-improved grasslands but that generally these levels of improvement are low.

A variety of potential factors affecting the species composition are discussed especially those likely to give rise to the low herb content.   Generally, these factors consist of changes in management regimes which, acting singly or in combination, lead to a reduction in plant species diversity.

Few specific recommendations can be made at present until the results of other investigations are available.   The threat posed by the weed problem alone is specifically highlighted.

1. INTRODUCTION:

A botanical survey of Turnastone Court was carried out over a number of days between late May and early June 2004, followed up by a final visit in early July 2004.

The aim of the survey was to record the botanical composition of the grasslands at Turnastone Court by collecting data on the frequency and relative abundance of the different plant species present.   The purpose of this data collection and its subsequent analysis was to allow an identification of the main NVC communities present and also an assessment of the degree, if any, of agricultural improvement.

The information derived is intended for use in planning the future management of the farm which has as one of its principal aims the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity.

2. SITE DESCRIPTION:

Turnastone Court is a predominantly livestock farm in western Herefordshire in the Dore valley immediately downstream of Peterchurch.

The land extends to about 260 acres of which approximately 200 acres is grassland.   The lower parts of the farm nearest the farmhouse towards the south and east consist of mostly level land whilst the land towards the north and west of the farm rises gently to the top of Turnastone Hill at approximately 180 metres AOD.   Current land-use is either for grazing by cattle and sheep or for hay production, with only one field presently under arable.   All of the land on the farm is under a CSS agreement.

There has been continuity of ownership by one family for over a century and it is considered to be a rare example of a large land-holding which has been farmed traditionally, and therefore not intensively, during this period.   The farm was purchased by the Countryside Restoration Trust with the aim of continuing this traditional management whilst maintaining biodiversity.

In addition to this, the area is associated with Rowland Vaughan who pioneered an early water-meadow system during the late 16^th and early 17^th centuries.   It is thought that remnants of this system are still evident in several of the lower fields on this farm.

The solid geology of the area is the Lower Old Red Sandstone consisting of red mudstone and sandstone and some calcrete.   The major soils of the area are typical brown earths, derived from the underlying sandstone, which are mostly neutral free-draining soils with occasional impermeable clayey subsoils which can give rise to waterlogging.   There is a tendency for these soils to be acid on the surface where they are unlimed and there are also occasional smaller inclusions of calcareous soils derived from the calcrete.

With an average annual rainfall of 800-1000 mm, the land is most suitable for permanent grassland which, in spite of increasing amount of arable production, remains the major land-use in the Black Mountains Natural Area.

3. METHODOLOGY:

All of the grassland fields were visited twice with an initial walk-over of the whole farm followed by collection of more detailed survey data.   Data was primarily collected on the frequency and relative abundance of grass and herb species to be found in the grassland fields.  

Frequency and relative abundance were determined by recording the occurrence of species in several stops and their relative cover as a percentage covered in an approximate 2 metre square quadrat thereby providing an estimate for the species composition.   Recording of frequency (DAFOR scale) alone, if not combined with an indication of relative abundance (% cover), would not have provided a sufficiently accurate record of the species composition.   Recording of grasses was based on identification of species in flower and also by examination of non-flowering parts.

Due to the large number of individual fields (21 are individually named) and the limited time available, it was not considered feasible to produce an exhaustive species list nor to conduct a full NVC survey (with a minimum of 5 quadrats in every field).   Instead, during the initial walk-over, it was possible to group several fields together with a similar botanical composition which could be sampled together.

4. RESULTS:

Data from a previous survey by Ian Hart collected during 2003 were made available consisting of a list of the most notable species identified in a selection of fields but containing no data on plant species frequency or abundance.   See Appendix 1a and 1b.

The aim of this survey was to provide additional quantitative information.   Data were gathered for frequency and % cover of the different plant species present to give a rough estimate of % composition throughout.   In most samples, the grass content was generally high from 60-90% whereas the herb content, with only a few exceptions, was generally low for both frequency and % cover (either Occasional or Rare in most fields).   In this case, it was decided to use instead an index of relative abundance for each herb species.   The results of this present survey are presented in detail in Appendix 2.

The data show that the grasslands on the farm contain a rich variety of grasses and, although they are mainly common and widespread species, they include many species no longer considered sufficiently productive for modern intensive-farming needs, such as Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris) and Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), and some most commonly associated with unimproved grasslands, such as Quaking Grass (Briza media) and Yellow Oat Grass (Trisetum flavescens).   Such varied swards are uncommon nowadays especially in lowland areas and their presence indicates that there has been little treatment or agricultural improvement.   On the other hand, the herb composition is relatively poor in terms of both the numbers of species present and their relative abundance.

Although there is variation in terms of species composition between individual fields, it was considered possible to discern broad similarities in composition between different groups of fields.   These differences may indicate evidence either for similarity or continuity of management or varying degrees of modification reflecting changes in management practices.   Thus for the purpose of the discussion below the following tentative groupings are suggested ( although there exists more of a continuum or gradual transition between groupings ) with a brief description of their botanical composition and an indication of their NVC classification,

a. Eleven Acres, Eight Acres, Upper Cross Field, Ross Meadow and Long Field - MG6 semi-improved grassland community: all or most of these fields are thought to be modern leys, which according to one source of information were created in the 1980’s.   These all have abundant Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus), Common Bent, Crested Dogstail (Cynosurus cristata) and Soft Brome (Bromus hordaceus) with lower cover of Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxamum odoratum) and Rye Grass (Lolium perenne).   In fact, it is only in this group of fields that Rye Grass has any consistently significant cover although never more than 10%.   The most characteristic species here are Soft Brome, Common Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum) and Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium) which are mostly short-lived plants typical of the early stages in grassland succession.   The other common herbs are Red and White Clover (Trifolium pratense, T. repens), Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), and Meadow Buttercup ( Ranunculus acris).   Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) are virtually absent from these fields.

b. Weeths Meadow, Long Meadow, Turnastone Meadow and Ox Leas – MG5/MG6 semi-improved grassland community: all of these fields contain a dense tall sward dominated by Common Bent and Yorkshire Fog with lower amounts of Sweet Vernal Grass, Crested Dogstail and Rough Meadow Grass (Poa trivialis) and only small amounts of Rye Grass.   Small amounts of Yellow Oat Grass are present in the Long Meadow.   The herbs consist of Meadow Buttercup, Common Sorrel, Birds-foot Trefoil and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).   Because of the luxuriant nature of the sward at this time of year, it is possible that several species may have been under-recorded.

These four meadows also contain significant amounts of Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense), Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and Nettle (Urtica dioica).

c. Weeth’s Orles - MG5 grassland community: this meadow is the only typical dry hay-meadow on the farm and possibly the one containing most species, many of which are indicators of old grasslands.   Grass cover varies from about 50-60% with the remaining herbaceous content being taken up mostly by Hay Rattle (Rhinanthus minor).   The other common herbs are Yarrow, Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Common Sedge (Carex nigra), Rough Hawksbit (Leontodon hispidus), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Birds-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Field Woodrush (Luzula campestris), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Meadow Buttercup, Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), and Goat’s Beard (Tragopogon pratensis).   Most of the grasses are the finer species such as Common Bent, Sweet Vernal Grass, Crested Dogstail, Red Fescue with small amounts of Yellow Oat Grass and negligible amounts of Rye Grass.

d. Tumpy Close, Turnastone Meadow (formerly Redstreak Orchard), Bridge Meadow, Orchard and Old Hopyard - MG5/MG6 semi-improved grassland community: the sward in most of the fields which surround the farmstead are dominated by Common Bent and Crested Dogstail with smaller amounts of Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and Yorkshire Fog and only relatively low cover of Sweet Vernal Grass, Red Fescue and Rye Grass.   The herb cover mostly consists of Yarrow, Knapweed, Birds-foot Trefoil, Ribwort Plantain, Meadow Buttercup and Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens).  

Invasive weeds are also prominent here but not as abundant as in the former group.   These fields which are mostly grazed fields contain poached areas associated with some of these weeds.

Bridge Meadow, which would have been split into two when the railway-line existed, shows an interesting distinction with the eastern end having a more herb-rich flora, including Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense), than the western end.

e. Upper Ox Pasture, Turnastone Hill, Little Viper, Viper Field, Kiln Piece, Quarry Field and Ladywell Field - species-poor MG5 grassland community (both MG5a Meadow Vetchling and MG5b Lady’s Bedstraw sub-communities): these fields, which are the most distant from the farmhouse and which are situated on the higher and sloping ground, have most probably been used as permanent pasture on the farm for a considerable period.   The sward is dominated by a mixture of the finer grasses such as Common Bent, Sweet Vernal Grass, Crested Dogstail, and Red Fescue with much lower amounts of Yorkshire Fog and Rye Grass.   Yellow Oat Grass is to be found in all of these fields in small amounts and Ian Hart has also identified Quaking Grass in Quarry and Ladywell Fields, as well as Adder’s Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) and Devil’s Bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) in Turnastone Hill.   Most of these fields have a herb-rich content, consisting of Yarrow, Birds-foot Trefoil, Field Woodrush, Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum), Meadow Vetchling, Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum), Sorrel, and both Meadow and Bulbous Buttercups.   Anthills are most common in this area of the farm.

There is an indication that the level central areas of Quarry Field and Turnastone Hill Fields have a lower cover of herbs which become more abundant towards the sloping margins.   This is typically noticeable in the distribution of Fairy Flax although it is not known if this reflects merely a difference in soils or some effect of management in the past ( such as ploughing ).

The NVC classifications above indicate that some of the fields are difficult to place in one category but show that they are transitional between one community and another.

The above groupings are mostly consistent with the current land-use with the level and flat fields used for hay and aftermath grazing whereas the more uneven and sloping ground is used as “permanent” pasture.  

It is also noticeable that many of the old hedges have become neglected so that they no longer form a barrier to the movement of livestock and both sheep and cattle can move freely between different groups of fields.   This makes it impossible for some of the “meadows” to be shut up for a hay-cut.

5. DISCUSSION:

Analysis of the current data indicates that the grassland is classified either as the MG5 community ( one typical herb-rich and several species-poor examples ), or many fields being transitional between the MG5and MG6 communities and the more modern leys belonging to the semi-improved MG6 community.   The question arises whether this result fits in with the history of a basically unimproved farm ( namely one using a low-input and extensive system ) with a long history of continuity.

It is considered that most of these grasslands have been originally derived from the MG5 community which, according to Rodwell is, “…the typical grassland of grazed hay-meadows treated in the traditional fashion on circum-neutral brown soils throughout the lowlands of Britain.”   This community typically consists of a varied mixture of dicotyledonous herbs, sedges and grasses, with herbaceous plants comprising a relatively high proportion of the sward.   This assumption is further supported by the existence of remnants of semi-natural MG5 grassland nearby at Crow Wood and Meadow ( a Herefordshire Nature Trust reserve ) and Lower House Common.   These remnants give an indication of what the original species composition might also have been at Turnastone Court.   However, over the last 50 years, it is known that much of this type of semi-natural grassland has disappeared all over Britain as a result of agricultural improvement.   This current survey shows that much of the land at Turnastone Court has also undergone some degree of modification in the past with a tendency towards almost semi-improved grassland.

Anecdotal evidence was provided about past management at Turnastone Court based mostly on recollections of local people.   This historical information would suggest that no land has been ploughed in the last 50-60 years, even during the Second World War, and also that there has been no use of either artificial fertilisers or herbicides.    However, no factual evidence or farm records exist to confirm this information.   One of the aims of this survey is to see if the botanical evidence supports this view of a basically unimproved farm with a long history of continuity of traditional farming.

During this survey, information was obtained from a local resident ( who has the allotment beside the Long Meadow ) who recalls some of the land on the farm definitely having been ploughed during the war, specifically the lower half of Wheeths Orles and some of the higher ground to the north of the farm.   Secondly, none of the anecdotal evidence provides any detailed information about continuity of land-use on specific fields.   Thus it is not known, for instance, whether the hay-meadows have always been used only for hay and aftermath grazing or whether there have been any significant periods of prolonged grazing instead.

The factors most likely to alter the species composition of grasslands, apart from the more radical use of artificial inputs such as inorganic fertilisers and herbicides, are regimes of grazing and hay-cutting practised, along with any ploughing or drainage of grassland.   In general, grazing and cutting levels must have been adequate in the past to control invasion by scrub which is not evident anywhere on the farm and equally there is very little evidence for a build-up of litter due to under-grazing or failure to remove cut herbage.   On the other hand, in the fields closest to the farmhouse there are significant amounts of invasive weeds along with poaching of the ground which is the result of over-grazing for prolonged periods during wet conditions.   This could be a result of too many livestock being over-wintered outside along with supplementary feeding in the fields.   The extent of the problem in several fields would suggest, however, that this is not merely the result of over-stocking in 2001 due the FMD restrictions but that it has occurred over many years.   Certain areas of the farm show clear evidence of over-grazing.

It has been shown that high-quality MG5 grasslands occur in lightly or moderately grazed situations and that meadows and pastures can be equally rich.   Broadly speaking, it has been shown that the species composition resulting from both kinds of land-use are similar although species preferential to meadows are thought to be Meadow Vetchling, Lady’s Bedstraw, Pignut and Yellow Oat Grass.   In fact, at Turnastone Court, these species are those to be found in the areas of permanent pasture.   The sward composition continues to develop over a considerable period so that certain species indicate the age of grassland.   Thus, Soft Brome, Common Mouse-ear and Lesser Trefoil are found in the early stages of grassland development.   With increasing age, species like Meadow Buttercup are to be found followed by Quaking Grass and then finally Goat’s Beard and Yellow Oat Grass.   Lady’s Bedstraw, Meadow Vetchling, Ox-eye daisy, Birds-foot Trefoil, Field Woodrush, Fairy Flax, Hay Rattle, Adder’s Tongue Fern and orchids are good indicators of neutral grasslands unimproved by the use of inorganic fertilisers or heavy applications of organic manures, whereas many of the other herb species do not show a strong association.

Weeths Orles with its abundance of Hay Rattle is the only clear example of a field which has had continuity of management for many decades with a hay crop being cut after mid-summer and grazing of the aftermath.   Consistent grazing of this field earlier in the year would have quickly eliminated the Hay Rattle by preventing this annual from seeding.   However, if it is true that the lower half of this field was ploughed during the war, there is no obvious distinction in species composition between the upper and lower halves now.

The modern leys are also quite distinct but it is not known whether these swards were created by ploughing and total reseeding or merely partial reseeding into the existing sward.   No information is available as to seed-mixture used nor about subsequent management.   However, these swards are not typical of most improved grasslands of the MG7 community where Rye Grass and White Clover are dominant.   It is possible that these have resulted from only partial reseeding with little or no subsequent use of fertiliser (either inorganic or farm-yard manure) and also that there may be reversion occurring to a less-improved nutrient status.

There are many factors which are known to give rise to a decrease in species composition or abundance especially of herb species.   For example, grazing intensity whether over- or under-grazing ( or neglect ) can reduce the species composition.   Semi-natural grasslands often require a later cut than modern improved grassland and if these are cut for hay consistently early, the species content will decline.   A switch from grazing by cattle to sheep can have a similar effect because sheep tend to eat flowers preventing the seeding of various herbs species.

It is extremely problematic to determine which fields were originally hay-meadows and which ones were used as permanent pasture.   It is known that on many farms in the past the use of the grasslands varied but could be flexible from year to year depending on a number of factors.   Certainly, the existence of substantial numbers of anthills currently in the areas of pasture would be consistent with no cutting, rolling or harrowing operations being used.   The Tithe map of about 1840 names certain fields as “meadows” although this does not necessarily indicate their use at the time of that survey nor subsequently.   However, the production of a hay-crop was vital on farms to sustain the more valuable livestock over the winter period so that hay-meadows would probably have been sited on the richer and more moisture-retentive soils.   In the case of Turnastone Court, the named meadows are those fields on level ground near the River Dore or associated with the remnants of former water-channels.

It is obvious that many of the so-called meadows are no longer managed in a traditional way with the stock being removed in early spring to allow the growth of sufficient herbage for a hay-crop.   In fact, in the fields around the large Turnastone Meadow it is impossible to prevent grazing as the hedges no longer function as barriers to sheep or cattle.

There have been suggestions that the “water-meadows” may have contained a rare form of lowland wet hay-meadow known as the MG4 community.   However, there is no botanical evidence currently to support this theory or any to suggest what the original species composition might have been.   The MG4 community described in Rodwell has a very limited distribution and was not recorded from this area initially.   Subsequently, it has been found that sites such as the Lugg Meadows in Hereford contain areas of MG4 grassland but it is also considered atypical of the community originally described.   This community can only really be identified by the presence of certain characteristic species, such as Greater Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) and Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) but otherwise it is not particularly distinct in its species composition containing as it does many common grass and herb species.   A change in grazing regime to spring and summer instead of only aftermath grazing could have quickly eliminated many palatable herbs, such as those above, from the sward.   Secondly, the soils of these MG4 communities have lower nutrient levels than the usual modern improved grasslands and it is thought possible that changes in nutrient levels in flood waters may have adversely affected this kind of vegetation.   Long-term lower water-tables due to increased levels of abstraction may also have altered the habitat towards drier conditions favouring the development of MG5 or MG6 grassland.

The final comments involve general improvements common on many farms.   Given the existence of a lime-kiln on the farm, it is likely that lime has been used for agriculture as well as for building and that it is possible the effects of liming the land may still be evident to this day.   Secondly, sedges and rushes are both conspicuous by their total absence which could indicate that some of the fields have been drained in the past.

The conclusion reached is that there is possibly evidence for varying degrees of improvement of the grassland which could explain some of the differences in species composition and also the relative lack of herbs species associated with these kinds of grasslands.   The degree of improvement is, however, quite minimal and the existing grasslands in their present form are relatively rare and thus offer great potential for restoration.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS:

The above information is intended to be used in conjunction with the other evidence currently being gathered, most especially the archaeological investigations of the water-meadow system.   Thus it would not be appropriate to give any specific recommendations at present.

However, it is essential to define management objectives in detail before embarking on any course of action.   It is unlikely that delaying any restoration efforts for several years will have any adverse effects.   Nevertheless, one priority is weed control and this can be initiated immediately.   Although some of the weed species do have some biodiversity value, their presence in significant amounts are the result of past mis-management.   Well-managed semi-natural grasslands should contain few of these negative indicator species.   A regime of frequent cutting in early/mid-summer, most especially at bud-stage for the Creeping Thistle, and removal of the herbage is recommended.   It may also be possible to consider a weed-wipe as a compromise especially in those areas which currently have negligible amounts of broad-leaved species.

It is essential to identify those factors which are most likely to have given rise to both the low herb content in the grassland and also to the weed problem so that these problems are not perpetuated in any future management.

In due course, soil sampling with analysis of nutrient levels may provide helpful information as to past levels of management or disturbance.

Lastly, once a management regime is in place, monitoring of the grasslands is essential to provide valuable information allowing an assessment to be made of the progress of any restoration programme.

7. REFERENCES:

Andrews and Rebane (1994) “Farming and Wildlife” RSPB, Sandy, Bedfordshire

Crofts and Jefferson (1999) “The Lowland Grassland Management Handbook” 2^nd edition. English Nature/The Wildlife Trusts

Fitter, Fitter and Farrer (1984) “Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns of Britain and Northern Europe” Harper Collins, London

Fuller (1987) “The Changing Extent and Conservation Interest of Lowland Grasslands in England and Wales: A Review of Grassland Surveys 1930-84”. Biological Conservation 40, 281-300 

Gibson (1997) “The effects of horse and cattle grazing on English species-rich grasslands” English Nature Research Report Number 210. English Nature, Peterborough

Gibson (1998) “South Somerset SSSI’s. A study of neutral grassland succession” English Nature Research Report Number 266. English Nature, Peterborough

Hopkins (1990) “British Meadows and Pastures” British Wildlife 1, 202-213

Hubbard (1992) “Grasses” Penguin, London

Preston, Pearman and Dines (2002) “New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora” Oxford University Press, Oxford

Rodwell ed. (1992) “British Plant Communities Volume 3: Grasslands and montane communities” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Soil Survey of England and Wales. (1984) “Bulletin 12: Soils and their use in the Midlands and West of England” Harpenden

Stace (1997) “New flora of the British Isles” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

UK Biodiversity Action Plan. (1995) “Lowland meadows – A Habitat Action Plan”   www.ukbap.org.uk

APPENDIX 1a:

Ecology

The hillside land which extends west into the LFA is most species rich.   The hill field north of Ladywell cottage (57) and the one north of that (58) has many ant-hill tumps and indicators of old pasture eg Quaking grass Briza media and Yellow Oat-grass Trisetum flavescens.

Lady’s bedstraw Galium verum is frequent and Burnet moths are present with plenty of Bird’s foot trefoil  Lotus corniculatus larval food plant.   The field to the extreme west (48) and towards Shegear Farm was wooded in Victorian times partly remains so today (mainly Ash and Hazel there are a few old Oaks and Holly) exhibiting a woodland flora including Bluebell, Greater Stitchwort, Wood Sorrel, Dog’s Mercury under Bracken, in the open areas the sward has Adder’s Tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. and Devil’s Bit Scabious Succisa pratensis.   A remnant of the belt of ‘wood pasture’ evident on the 1880 map is present as veteran Pollard Ashes and Oak + one Yew.   The hedges are grown up with many trees but have many been grazed and have lost their function.

The meadows of the valley floor south of the church (66 and 373) have never been ploughed and although local sources indicate traditional methods the sward is disappointingly low in broadleaves but has very little Rye Grass being composed almost entirely of native grasses indicating that it is the original sward.   I have spoken further to local people including Mr. Comyn who worked part-time for Miss Watkins from 1992 to her death in 2000 and he does not recall any artificial fertiliser being applied however we cannot be absolutely sure since it is quick and easy to whiz around with a spreader.   They would nonetheless certainly qualify for retention under the EIA guidelines even without the archaeological interest.   Also, last year the land was grazed by sheep heavier and longer than usual as a consequence of FMD restrictions.   66 and 373 have undulations which possibly associated with the Vaughan water meadow system.

The field adjoining 373 and running south up the slope to Chanstone wood (347) is more species rich like the hill fields in the west with a cornstone outcrop and clearly has never been ploughed - includes Harebell, Penny Rattle, and sedges.

The fields north of the church 62 and 63 are re-seeded but native grasses are present. Wild daffodil is present along the water course.

Botanical Survey

undertaken by I & D Hart, March – April 2002 (updated June 2002).

General Summary: The area of ancient watermeadows and pasture which from the plant evidence has in recent years has been subject to eutrophic conditions through application of artificial fertilisation and/or high stocking rates.   The meadows on the higher ground more semi-natural.

Nevertheless, this block of land is potentially of high conservation value which includes a substantial area of former water meadow which could be restored using techniques well established locally.

Note: Parcel numbers taken from 1840 Tithe Map

APPENDIX 1b:

TURNASTONE COURT WATER MEADOWS

COMPARISON OF FLORA IN DIFFERENT PARCELS

* Parcel numbers are taken from the Tithe Map for Turnastone Parish, 1840.

Notes of explanation to annotations to listed species:

(T) Species associated with unimproved but species poor water meadows. After Tubbs, C R, An ecological appraisal of the Itchen Valley flood-plain, in Hants Field & Archaeological Soc, 34, (1978), p12.

4. Species associated with MG4 Alopecurus pratensis-Sanguisorba officinalis grassland. After Rodwell, J S, British Plant Communities, Vol 3, (1998), Cooper, E A, Summary descriptions of National Vegetation Classification: grassland and montane communities, (1997). This community is considered to be associated with flood-plain meadows. Festuca rubra, Alopecurus pratensis, Cynosurus pratensis and Lolium perenne may be abundant. The pre 16th century (Vaughan) flood-plain swards at Turnastone, which would have been subject to seasonal inundations from the River Dore and its tributaries, may therefore originally have been of this classification, upon which the Vaughan water meadow system was superimposed.

The following species associated with the above community were not found at Turnastone meadows:

Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca arundinacaea, Carex acutiformis, Juncus articulatus, Leontodon autumnalis, Fritillaria meleagris (rare), Sanguisorba officinalis, Primula veris, Silaum silaus, and Succisa pratensis.

5. Species associated with MG5 Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland. The most frequent grasses are Festuca rubra, Cynosurus cristatus and Agrostis capillaris.

It is probable that some of the swards at Turnastone, by a combination of drainage and changes in management, ‘modified’ to a MG5 Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland. This grassland is assumed not to have been ‘improved’ by ploughing, reseeding or the regular applications of inorganic fertilisers. However, there is evidence that inappropriate grazing management coupled with the failure to spread inorganic manure more extensively (resulting in the build up of nutrients in specific areas - now dominated by creeping thistle Cirsium arvense and broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius) may have contributed to the present condition of certain areas of the swards.

The following species associated with the above community were not found at Turnastone meadows:

Briza media, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca arundinacea, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panacea, Leontodon autumnalis, Primula veris, Galium verum, Ranunculus auricomus, Anemone nemorosa, Silaum silaus, Colchicum autumnale, Ophioglossum vulgare, Genista tinctoria, Alchemilla spp, Cirsium tuberosum, Orchis morio, Listera ovata, Coeloglossum viride and Plantathera chlorantha. 

6. Species associated with MG6 Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland (Fatting and Dairy Pastures). A community where Lolium perenne is dominant with varying amounts of Cynosurus.

Some areas of the Turnastone swards may have developed into this community and/or MG7 Lolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis-Festuca pratensis grassland.

The following species associated with the MG6 community were not found at Turnastone meadows:

Medicago lupulina and Hordeum murinum.

7. Species associated with MG7 Lolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis-Festuca pratensis grassland.   Dominated by Alopecurus pratensis, Festuca pratensis and Lolium perenne.   Rodwell (p75) states: ‘It seems likely that some of the river-valley stands of the MG7 community have been derived from the vegetation of traditionally managed water-meadows. These have been either neglected during the present century, running to scrub and woodland, or converted by drainage and management to the Lolio-Cynosuretum. However the grass component of the working water-meadow was very similar and it is possible that where annual inundations by standing water has replaced controlled inundation by running water, this community represents a modified relic of a now defunct style of grassland management. The dicotyledonous component of the sward is generally not well developed.’

The following species associated with the above community were not found at Turnastone meadows:

Festuca pratensis, Agrostis stolonifera (Found in ‘older’ swards together with Holcus lanatus), Alopecurus geniculatus and Glyceria fluitans.

8. Species associated with MG8 Cynosurus cristatus-Caltha palustris grassland. After Rodwell, J S, British Plant Communities, Vol 3, (1998), Cooper, E A, Summary descriptions of National Vegetation Classification: grassland and montane communities, (1997). This community has no specific species dominant. This community is considered to be associated with the ‘specialised swards of water meadows, first created in the 16th and 17th century to supplement spring grazing on the southern chalklands’ (Cooper, 1997). The sward at Turnastone, being underlain by Devonian rocks (Old Red Sandstone) with interbedded cornstones, presumably formerly supported a flood plain MG4 community. However while the water meadow system was extant, it may have (part) developed into an MG8 community.

The following species associated with the above community were not found at Turnastone meadows:

Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca pratensis, Briza media, Carex panacea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex demissa, Carex ovalis, Caltha palustris, Leontodon autumnalis, Sanguisorba officinalis, Alchemilla sp., Achillea ptarmica, Lotus uliginosus, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Angelica sylvestris, Valeriana dioica, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Geum rivale, Senecio aquaticus, Myosotis scorpioides, Crepis paludosa and Trollius europeaus.

(Compiled by IBH July 2003)

Appendix 2

Relative abundance of Plant Species